A devastating road accident in Madaripur district claimed the lives of three minibus passengers and left two others injured on Tuesday, 13 January. The incident occurred around noon on the Dhaka–Barisal Highway, in the Tantibari area of the Mastofapur Union.
According to local sources, several passengers boarded a minibus at Bhangab Bridge at approximately 11:30 am, bound for Mastofapur. The vehicle was proceeding slowly along the highway when, near Tantibari, it was struck by a rapidly moving covered van coming from the opposite direction. The impact caused three passengers seated on the roof of the minibus to be killed instantly, while two others sustained serious injuries.
Mastofapur Highway Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Abdullah Al Mamun, confirmed: “Three passengers on the roof of the minibus were killed when it was hit by a covered van. The injured have been admitted to hospital. Our teams are working to manage the situation and restore traffic safely.”
Although the identities of the victims and the injured have not yet been officially confirmed, eyewitnesses reported that the deceased included one middle-aged man and two young men. Among the injured, one passenger is in critical condition and has been referred to a hospital in Dhaka for specialised treatment.
The following table summarises the key details of the accident:
| Date & Time | Location | Fatalities | Injured | Vehicles Involved | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 January 2026, 12:00 pm | Tantibari, Mastofapur, Madaripur | 3 | 2 | Minibus, Covered van | Traffic temporarily halted; rescue operations ongoing |
Eyewitnesses cited excessive speed of the covered van and lack of traffic control for the passenger minibus as the main causes of the collision. Authorities have urged passengers not to sit on the roofs of vehicles and called on drivers to exercise heightened caution while operating buses and vans on busy highways.
The Madaripur District Administration dispatched additional personnel to assist police in managing the aftermath and restoring traffic flow. The affected section of the Dhaka–Barisal Highway was closed for approximately two hours following the accident. Traffic has now gradually resumed, but officials continue to advise commuters and local residents to remain alert.
This incident has once again highlighted ongoing concerns about road safety in Bangladesh, particularly regarding passenger behaviour, excessive vehicle speeds, and inadequate traffic enforcement on major highways. Authorities have pledged to increase monitoring and establish additional checkpoints in accident-prone areas to prevent similar tragedies in the future.